15 Most Popular Beers in America: Listed & Ranked (2023)

Last Updated on September 14, 2023 by Lydia Martin

America’s love affair with beer is as old as the nation itself. The US beer landscape is incredibly diverse, from the craft beer revolution to the classic light lagers.

From tailgate parties in the heartland to late-night conversations in smoky bars, we’ve had the privilege of experiencing firsthand the most popular beer in America that has captured the nation’s heart and taste buds.

Keep reading and be ready to dive headfirst.

Top 15 Popular Beers in America (2023 Edition) 

1. Bud Light

Average Price: approx. $10/6-pack

Alcohol Content: 4.2% ABV

Revenue (2022): $4.5B

Crafted by the Anheuser-Busch brand, Bud Light is a light lager known for its refreshing taste, low-calorie count, and fewer carbs.

“America’s favorite beer: a taste that brings us together, one sip at a time.”

– Liquor Laboratory

In 2020, Bud Light of Anheuser Busch InBev became the top-selling beer brand in the US due to its natural light taste.

After tasting it multiple times, I am still fond of the crisp, dry, and smooth profile of Bud Light. Also, Bud Light comes in cans, bottles, and draft kegs [1], so you have options.

But what type of beer is bud light?

2. Michelob Ultra

Average Price: approx. $17/12-pack

Alcohol Content: 4.2% ABV

Number of Bottles Sold: 119,220,402 barrels (2021)

Michelob Ultra is a low-carbohydrate, low-calorie alcoholic drink from Anheuser-Busch InBev, and if you’re health-conscious, it is a must-try.

According to USA Today, it is a top-selling beer, and the brand’s sales increased thanks to the Super Bowl 57 commercial.

Among the most popular beers, this alcoholic beverage is one of the healthiest beers you can find – undoubtedly one of the reasons why it is one of the top-selling beers in America.

3. Coors Light Beers

Average Price: approx. $15/12-pack

Alcohol Content: 4.2% ABV

Revenue (2022): $2.9B

Coors Light from Molson Coors Brewing Company is another top-selling beer in the US that boasts a crisp and smooth taste.

Also known as “Silver Bullet,” Coors Light gives a refreshing flavor, and we suggest drinking Coors Light cold for a better experience.

Based on USA Today, Coors Light is a light beer with billion-dollar sales, and beer sales continuously rise every year to date basis.

Read: Recommended Beers For Those Who Don’t Like Beers

4. Miller Lite

Average Price: approx. $15/12-pack

Alcohol Content: 4.2% ABV

Revenue (2022): $2.9B

Miller Lite, an American light beer from the parent company MillerCoors (Miller brewing company), is known for its smooth and creamy taste.

It is a top-selling beer (billion-dollar sales) because it has fewer calories than some of the most popular beers like Corona Extra, Stella Artois,

Aside from Miller Genuine Draft, it has been our go-to beer instead of Mexican lager from Constellation Brands with heavy and filling character.

Also, there are excellent variations – you can opt for Miller Lite beer cans or Miller High Life beer bottles.

5. Anheuser-Busch

Average Price: approx. $12/12-pack

Alcohol Content: 4.1% ABV

Revenue (2022): $57.786B

Another light beer from Anheuser-Busch is Busch Light, which we like due to its fewer calories with a refreshing taste.

Among the light beers from the brand, Busch Light is close to Bud Light. Busch Light and Bud Light have light and subtle sweetness, perfect for hot summer days.

6. Natural Light Beer 

 

Average Price: approx. $15/18-pack

Alcohol Content: 4.2% ABV

Number of Bottles Sold: 81,313,091 barrels (2021)

Also known as Natty Light, this light beer from the parent company Anheuser Busch has a natural light flavor comparable to Busch Light, Miller Lite, Corona Extra, and Coors Light (from Molson Coors brewing company).

We like the unique notes on this beer – bready, grainy, dry, and light. It is one of the most popular beer brands with a medium body and right alcohol concentration.

7. Bud Specialty

Average Price: approx. $10/6-pack

Alcohol Content: 5% ABV

Revenue (2022): $5.6B

Bud Specialty beer brand is another top-selling beer from Anheuser Busch InBev. 

In 2020, Budweiser’s sales (off-premise consumption) reached about $717.8 million.

Its smooth taste and crisp profile make it an official Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association beer.

So, how tall is your Budweiser bottle?

8. Yuengling

 

Average Price: approx. $10/6-pack

Alcohol Content: 4.5% ABV

Revenue (2022): $162.8M

Yuengling is one of the most famous beers in America, crafting delicious craft beer [2]. In fact, Yuengling is one of the oldest in the beer industry – its parent company began operating in 1829.

Actually, Yuengling Traditional Lager is our first beer in this brand. We like the malty and bready notes, along with its dry character.

We prefer Yuengling over Blue Moon or Pabst Blue Ribbon (from the Pabst Brewing Company) regarding flavor balance and character.

9. Samuel Adams 

 

Average Price: approx. $20/12-pack

Alcohol Content:  5% ABV

Revenue (2022): $447M

This Boston lager is flavor-forward and full-bodied. So, if you want some complexity, Samuel Adams is a great craft beer choice.

“If you’re looking for beer, what beer might come to mind first, or what pops out to you on the shelf in the store? It’s the one that shares a name with the topic that you’re hearing most about.”

– Dawn Lerman, Marketing Professor & Executive Director at Fordham University

Sam Adams is one of the top-selling beers in America for its full and refreshing taste.

The ABV is a little higher than the standard, giving the booze – perfect for drinkers looking to deviate from the usual lighter version.

10. Great Lakes

 

Average Price: approx. $11/6-pack

Alcohol Content: 6.5% ABV

Revenue (2022): $648.8M

Great Lakes, from the parent company Great Lakes Brewing Company, is well-known for its hoppy character.

We like how this beer is easy to drink with a mild aroma. It tastes malty but not too sweet with spice, fruitcake, grain, and cereal.

Overall, Great Lakes beer is an excellent beverage that’ll leave you craving more. It is our best alternative if we run out of Michelob Ultra.

11. Guinness

 

Average Price: approx. $10/4-pack

Alcohol Content: 4.2% ABV

Revenue (2022): $8.7M

The original Guinness Draught Stout is made with nitrogen. This beer looks heavy and dark. However, it tastes incredibly smooth and flavorful, with chocolate, caramel, coffee, and roasted barley notes.

Guinness beer has been around for a long time and is one of the best-tasting we’ve tried so far.

Besides, we like that this drink only has 126 calories – fewer than a typical light-lager beer.

12. Corona

 

Average Price: approx. $20-$24/12- to 18-pack

Alcohol Content: around 4% ABV

Revenue (2022): $7B

Modelo’s Corona beer is a refreshing Mexican lager often paired with lime wedges. Despite being Mexican style, it’s a best-selling beer in the US – available at most grocery stores.

This pilsner-style beer is one of the competitive beer brands in the beer industry.

Compared to other beers, Corona Light and Extra have low-calorie counts (99 kcal and 149 kcal, respectively).

13. Heineken

 

Average Price: approx. $20/12-pack

Alcohol Content: 5% ABV

Revenue (2022): $6.9B

Although it’s sometimes called a skunky-smelling brew, this is still one of the most popular lager beers worldwide.

This beer has a crisp and refreshing bite with a distinct aroma, which we’ve never encountered in other beers.

What’s fun about Heineken is its hop profile tricks drinkers into believing it’s a green beer.

14. Lagunitas

 

Average Price: approx. $12/6-pack

Alcohol Content: 6.2% ABV

Revenue (2022): $75M

From the parent company Heineken International, Lagunitas is a trend for high-alcoholic beer drinkers, with 6.2% ABV.

This Indian Pale Ale (IPA) [3] has bitter and citrus notes alongside hints of floral and hops.

One of the reasons Lagunitas is popular in the US is its highly balanced and drinkable profile.

We find the hops almost similar to

15. White Claw

 

Average Price: approx. $21/12-pack

Alcohol Content: 5% ABV

Number of Bottles Sold: 29.1 million cases (2019)

White Claw Hard Seltzer, from the parent company Mark Anthony Group, blends water, gluten-free alcohol, and fruit.

What’s more interesting about this beer brand is its four refreshing White Claw flavors: Ruby Grapefruit, Black Cherry, Raspberry, and Natural Lime.

Besides, each pack contains around 100 calories and 2g of sugar, which is lower than most beers like Anheuser Busch Ice Pale Lager (171 kcal) and Pabst Blue Ribbon (110 kcal). But what alcohol is in White Claw?

** Average prices are based on Drizly online. Prices may vary per store. 

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